Operation Manual

Lines, Curves and Shapes 47
Changing nodes and line segments
Each segment in a line has a control handle at either end, so at each
interior or "corner" node (where two segments join) you'll see a pair of
handles. The behaviour of these handles—and thus the curvature of the
segments to either side—depends on whether the node is set to be sharp,
smooth, symmetric, or smart. You can quickly identify a node's type by
selecting it and seeing which button is selected in the displayed context
toolbar. Each type's control handles behave differently as described
below.
To change one or more nodes to a different type:
1. Select the object with the Node Tool, followed by the node(s) you
want to change.
2. Click one of the node buttons on the displayed context toolbar.
A Sharp Corner means that the line segments to either
side of the node are completely independent so that the corner
can be quite pointed.
A Smooth Corner uses Bézier curves, which means that
the slope of the line is the same on both sides of the node, but
the depth of the two joined segments can be different.
At a Symmetric Corner, nodes join line segments with the
same slope and depth on both sides of the node.
Smart Corner nodes automatically determine slope and
depth for a rounded, best-fitting curve. If you attempt to adjust
a smart corner's handles, it becomes a smooth corner. You can
always reset the node to smart—but to maintain smart nodes,
be careful what you click on!